Emmanuel Macron's Statement on the Turkey-Greece Operation

The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, made statements stating that they will organize a humanitarian operation with Turkey and Greece for those who want to get away from the city of Mariupol in Russian-occupied Ukraine.

At the press conference held after the European Union Leaders' Summit held in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, with the participation of the heads of state or government of the 27 EU member countries, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke about the Turkey and Greece operations.

Expressing that there are now 150 thousand people left in Mariupol with a population of 400 thousand and they live in very bad conditions, Macron said, "We will organize a humanitarian operation with Turkey and Greece for those who want to leave the city of Mariupol."

He underlined that they will negotiate with Russia on this planned operation and that they will discuss this issue on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin within 48-72 hours.

Macron added that Vladimir Putin's request for gas and oil sold to Europe to be paid in Russian rubles cannot be realized in line with the contracts.